"This new adaptive sports complex will be in the newly developed Groves subdivision, on the same campus of a new Humble ISD elementary and middle school," Thompson said. "This unique partnership will allow students in the district to utilize the facilities during the school day."

Thompson said the YMCA decided to bring to Houston the Miracle League, which is a national baseball league for children with special needs.

The league functions by establishing a "buddy" system of able-bodied individuals with those who have a physical challenges.

One of the main barriers that prevent children with disabilities from playing is the natural grass fields, and Thompson said the Miracle League teams play on a barrier-free, custom-designed rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices while helping to prevent injuries.

"Children and adults with disabilities and special needs, like their able-bodied peers, benefit immensely from the exercise, energy, stress-release and the pure enjoyment of friendships built by playing sport," Thompson said.

The Miracle League plans to play at the Adaptive Sports Complex opening day Saturday, Sept. 16.

Humble ISD has about 40,000 students in elementary through high school, and more than 12.5 percent of those students are coping with a disability. Thompson said the region will continue to grow and so will the demand for special youth and family programs.

"The time has come for the community to invest in recreational facilities that will be accessible to all children and youth, including those with special needs," Thompson said.

The complex will include two baseball/multipurpose fields equipped and custom designed to Miracle League standards. A barrier-free playground that includes ramps, special swings, sensory-related items, low activities and other features that make it easy to play side-by-side with friends and family.

The covered pavilion that Mark Koenig, co-chair of Sports for All Campaign, said could possibly be one of the greatest highlights for the community functions as a multipurpose facility equipped with modified basketball hoops, activity space, restrooms and a concessions area.

The pavilion will also include a number of small rooms for quiet spaces that are often required when overstimulation occurs with special needs individuals.

"The playground's tactile, visual and auditory components are designed to engage children with developmental conditions," said Jamie Mount, director of public communications for Humble ISD.

Insperity, the Houston Astros Foundation, community leaders and philanthropists Joe and Cathy Cleary, were major donors that helped fund the project from its inception.

"The sports complex will be used by families from throughout the region who participate in YMCA programs, including The Miracle League's special needs baseball program," Mount said.

Mount stressed the complex is open for all Humble ISD students, including all Groves Elementary School students, regardless of its location.

The Groves Elementary playground is part of the complex and is designed for students of all abilities, which provides easy access to students who attend the school.

The complex is also close to Humble ISD's new middle school, which is still under construction and is scheduled to open August 2018.